June 2014

As a Santa Cruz resident you don't have to go far from home to find something fun and interesting to do. Stroll along the beach, learn about the history of surfing, or just spend time being a tourist in your own town! Check out some of the Santa Cruz attractions-- there are many different activities just waiting to be experienced.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

The iconic oceanfront boardwalk is a fantastic amusement park and has been serving as a tourist attraction in the Santa Cruz area for over a century. The park is open year round and is rich with history and nostalgia. Try your hand at a classic carnival game, ride the 1911 Loof Carousel, or test your courage on the Giant Dipper, the Boardwalk's famous wooden roller coaster. This state historic

Habitat for Humanity Santa Cruz is a great non-profit organization that sets out to create affordable housing to low income families in need. This is an independently operated and locally funded chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Homes are built for local residents using donated supplies and community man-power. Qualifying families who live and work in Santa Cruz County will receive affordable homeownership with a zero percent mortgage from the HfHSCC; however, this is not a giveaway program. Applicants must prove a need for housing, provide a down payment and be able to make monthly mortgage payments. With local support, this program allows deserving residents of Santa Cruz County to gain economic stability and build a brighter future for their children.

There are many reasons why a mortgage loan for your Santa Cruz real estate could be declined. It doesn’t have to be the end of your real estate dreams. Here are a few things to consider if you’ve been turned down for a mortgage:

Loan-To-Value RatioThe loan-to-value ratio (LTV) is the percentage of the appraised value of the [city] real estate that you are trying to finance. For example, if you are trying to finance a home that costs $100,000, and want to borrow $75,000, your LTV is seventy-five percent.

Lenders don’t like a high LTV. The higher the ratio, the harder it is to qualify for a mortgage. To reduce the percentage, you can save up a bigger down payment. Some lenders may approve the loan if you buy mortgage insurance, which protects the

There’s at least one good thing about the drop in the dollar and it’s boosting the real estate market. Many high-end Europeans are now looking toward the U.S. for a vacation home or permanent resident, and that could mean big hope for your Santa Cruz home for sale. However, this also means a different way of selling.

Stage A BenefitNo open house for high-end buyers. Host an event instead – maybe even a benefit dinner for a worthy charity. Let people come and view the property, but give them an avenue to mix and mingle as well. In addition, they get to see how the house handles a bunch of guests.

Showcase A ChefIf you have a gourmet kitchen (or two), check with chefs that would like to showcase their cooking abilities. This creates an entire

Many putting up their home for sale on the Santa Cruz market don’t have a lot of available cash to spruce it up. While staging houses is a definite plus, it costs, as does many of the other suggested “to-dos." Here are a few cheap, easy ways to make your home look more inviting to buyers:

1. Put Up Your Personal StuffNot every buyer looking at a home for sale in Santa Cruz appreciates the fact that someone still lives there. Putting away the following things can help the buyers’ see themselves in the home:

Summer is gearing up, and the great summer holidays are right around the corner. From 4th of July picnics and fireworks to Memorial Day barbeques, and every sunny day in between, a little preparation can make your Santa Cruz home a spot for summer fun.

Clean Up The GrillOne of the most popular pieces of outdoor party equipment is the barbeque grill. Over winter, it can accumulate a lot of dust. Propane tanks may need recharging and even the tires might need filling. If the grill wasn't cleaned and stored properly, last summer's leftovers may be hanging on for dear life, and be really hard to get rid of. A good oven spray can help a lot. Spray on a generous amount and let your grill sit in the sun for a few hours before attempting to scrub the food